Monica & Austin’s Charming Bungalow

Name: Austin White, Monica Rodgers and children, Manon and Shaw 
Location: Kingston, Rhode Island
Size: 1,850 square feet
Years lived in: 1.5 years; owned

It all started with a ship captain in the 1920’s. He translated his passion for the seafaring life into a nautical-inspired Arts and Crafts home. Wood planks from the deck of his boat became flooring, a porthole became a window, and ceramic tiles, souvenirs from his many ports of call, became embellishment for a stone fireplace.

Each successive owner has added his own touch of handicraft and clever design. A cabinet-maker and sailor maximized space with built-ins, and in a nod to Craftsman-style architecture and life below deck, added transom windows to allow light to pour into the living room from above. In the 1970’s, a greenhouse adjoining the original home was converted into a front entry and corridor, linking to a new wing consisting of three bedrooms and what is now an office. The last owner, a home builder, infused the property with an Asian vibe with the addition of open decking and a privacy wall of bamboo, cautiously contained within a 6-ft.-deep layer of poured cement.

What started as a simple home and greenhouse nearly a century ago has bloomed into an expansive ranch-style bungalow rooted in a legacy of craftsmanship. Current owners Monica, founder of The Revelation Project, and Austin, a web marketer and digital strategist for a large financial company and founder of blocs.tv, built a creatively designed reading nook they call the “treehouse” for the kids. The space, converted from attic storage and brightly lit by a skylight, is accessed only by a wooden ladder that is stored horizontally on the wall in the hallway below it. 

Monica and Austin were charmed by the home’s simplicity, attention to detail, and layout, which creates a natural separation between private and public spaces. The house feels bright, open and airy; standing in one place, it is possible to see into multiple rooms at the same time. Despite this, there are numerous cozy spots with comfortable seating just begging for someone curl up and be lulled into a cat nap by the warmth of the sun. The original artwork, family photographs, cheerful fabrics, and bright colors that fill each room add an authenticity befitting of this gem of a home. If the ship captain could see what has become of his creation, he would be proud.

My Style: Monica: Mixing vintage with new, antiques with modern; bohemian meets modern.
Austin: Modern, minimalist, industrial. 

Inspiration: Asian Modern. 

Favorite Element: The bamboo privacy wall in the backyard with the low deck. It is a beautiful natural privacy barrier that sounds really cool when the wind blows through it. It’s a very peaceful setting.

Biggest Challenge: The family room/Monica’s office; that room went through 4 or 5 configurations and uses before we were able to find the correct purpose for it.

What Friends Say: They always comment that our home is so warm and inviting, interesting, and charming. It’s more spacious than it appears on the outside.

Biggest Embarrassment: Our Laundry Room, until we found our modular storage solution from Pottery Barn.

Proudest DIY: The kids’ indoor tree house

Biggest Indulgence: My reproduction antique settee. 

Best Advice: Get creative; mix styles and allow your home to reflect the many layers of those who live in it. Live in the house for a while to figure out how you use the house before you decorate it.

Dream Sources:  Pinterest, Indonesia, Artwork, Dwell, creative spaces we’ve been to.

• Manon’s room – Benjamin Moore Cinqo de Mayo 1266  
• Master bedroom – Benjamin Moore Silver Blue 1647  
• Master bedroom – Benjamin Moore Stone House 1039   
• Living room – Benjamin Moore Spice Gold 10040  
• Shaw’s room – Benjamin Moore Soft Pumpkin 2166-40  
• Offices – Benjamin Moore Mesa Verde Tan AC33  
• Kitchen wall – Benjamin Moore Spanish Red 1301

• Round Mid Century Table – Rē in North Kingstown, RI
• Leather Chair – Ikea
• Leather footrest – Ikea
• Rug – Turkish (gift from a friend)
• Mid Century sideboard – Inside Style
• Mirror above built-ins – antique, wedding gift to Austin’s parents
• Coat rack – Home Depot
• Piano stool – Antique store
• Black Asian chest – Inside Style in Wakefield, RI
• Antique school bench – The Corner Cupboard
• Wooden block – Rē in North Kingstown, RI

• Nixon couch – Cardi’s Furniture
• Friheten couch with bed and storage – Ikea
• Sapien Book Shelves – Design within Reach
• Asian Console Table – Rē in North Kingstown, RI
• Corner table between couches: Design within Reach (discontinued)
• Tufted French Provincial Stool (Coffee table) – Marshalls
• Pillows – Pottery Barn, Albert and Dash
• Artwork: Indonesia
• Mirror over fireplace: antique brass window casing repurposed into mirror

• Painting – Marianne Kolb from HANG Art Gallery
• Window Seat Upholstery and Pillows – Dove and Distaff
• Vintage Ikea “Wave” table – Antique store
• Ikea Poang Chair
• Round Tray Table – Inside Style in Wakefield, RI
• Flokati Rug – 2bmodern.com

• Mid-Century modern extension table – Studio Hop on Hope Street in Providence
• Dining Chairs- Pier One (Got at The Flying Pig, an antique store in East Greenwich, RI)
• Glenn Bar Stools – Ikea
• Pie Cupboard – antique store in Newport, refinished by Austin
• Artwork over sink – Karja, Indonesian Artist

• Bedding – West Elm
• Pillows – West Elm
• Glass Box – OOP! Providence
• Bedside table – The Corner Cupboard consignment, North Kingston, RI
• Yellow lamp – The Corner Cupboard consignment, North Kingston, RI
• Mirror over bed – Marshalls
• Artwork – HANG gallery in Los Angeles and John MacGowan

• Bed – Ikea
• Bedding – Ikea
• Painting – painted by Manon at age 3
• Bird pillow on bed – Marshalls
• Wall decal – Decal Designs, etsy
• Hanging paper butterfly – Ostheimer Toys, Germany
• Stuffed bunnies – Anthropologie
• Felt owl – Little Bits
• Doll next to owl – Magic Cabin
• Desk – antique store
• Patchwork bench – Marshalls
• Small blue table by door – Marshalls
• Flowers painting above bed – SKYE, Arizona artist.

• Bed – Ikea
• Painting next to bed – Painted by his dad and John MacGowan
• Desk – Ikea
• Desk Chair – Crate and Barrel
• Small Child’s Chair – Antique Store
• Painting above desk – John MacGowan
• Paper Lanterns – Ocean State Job Lot
• Easel – Antique Store
• Storage next to easel – Ikea
• Lava lamp – Ikea
• Bookshelf by Door – Ikea

MONICA’S OFFICE

• Armoire in hall way under skylights – CB2
• Rug – Pottery Barn
• Linen settee and ottoman– The RI Design Center in Warwick, RI
• Painting next to settee – bought while traveling in Indonesia
• Pillows on settee – KREATELIER
• White dresser in corner – Pink Chair Consignments RI
• Lamp on dresser – Marshalls
• Photograph of Monica with kids – Terry Lee Cafferty Lovesome Images
• Desk – World Market online
• Desk Chair – Crate and Barrrel
• Lamp next to desk – World Market online
• Curtains – Crate and Barrel
• Armoire behind desk – consignment store
• Chair beside armoire – The RI Dessign Center in Warwick, RI

AUSTIN’S OFFICE

• Handmade Desk- Cherry Wood
• Chair – Herman Miller Aeron Chair bought on ebay
• Shelves – Ikea
• Clash Poster – Friend from London
• Eye Exam Lamp – Ikea

HALLWAY

• Oil Painting – Sue McNally

BATHROOM
• Fixtures: Home Depot
• Shelves:  IKEA
• Shower Curtain and Towels  

OUTDOORS

• Cushioned seating – Lowes
• Hanging egg chair – Marshalls

Thanks, Austin & Monica!

(Images: Jacqueline Marque)

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